Review Detail

An Inspiring and Lyrical Tale
Overall rating
 
5.0
Plot
 
5.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
5.0
When a little girl is assigned the task to create a family tree, she has trouble tracing back her roots so seeks help from her grandmother. Grandma is more than happy to tell the story of how her ancestors came to this land. While it's a story full of hardships, it only proves how strong and courageous their ancestors were. They were born on the water with a resolve like no other. To live their lives and seek their freedom. Because their story doesn't start with whips and chains. Instead, it starts with song and poems and smiles.

Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renée Watson use lyrical poetry to convey the strength Black American people carry with them and how it was built from their ancestors. While a lot of people have trouble getting into the grit of our history, Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renée Watson do in a way that leaves the reader with encouragement to become a better person. They aren't afraid to talk about both the good and the bad and it's a story children everywhere need to hear. If we don't learn how history, then how can we aspire to make things better? Not to mention how stunning and detailed the illustrations are!


Final Verdict: This is a story that belongs in classrooms and schools to teach children Black American history. It isn't a story of sadness. Instead, it weaves the tale of how Black American people gained their strength.
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